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Objective The association between unbalanced iron indices and the conditions of schizophrenia are not well understood. Liver dysfunction which has been linked to iron metabolism might be a contributing factor. This case–control study evaluated serum iron indices and liver function in treatment-naïve schizophrenia patients and those already on treatment at the Psychiatric Department of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Kumasi-Ghana. Results The mean age of the respondents was 39.6 ± 0.8 years. Increased levels of serum iron, TS, AST, ALT and AST:ALT ratio and lower levels of UIBC, TIBC, Transferrin, and log Ferritin:AST ratio levels were observed among the treatment-naïve group compared to the control. The treatment-naïve and treatment groups showed significantly higher serum AST:ALT ratio, and lower log10ferrtin:AST ratio than the healthy controls. There was a significant correlation between log10ferritin and AST, and log10ferritin and GGT in both treatments (r = 0.343; p = 0.003, and r = 0.502; p = 0.001 respectively) and treatment-naïve groups (r = 0.348; p = 0.002, and r = 0.614; p

Background Plasmodium falciparum malaria remains one of the world’s major infectious diseases that cause most morbidity and mortality, particularly in children. In Ghana, most children below the ages of 5 years depending on the severity of the infection often lose their lives. However, it is still debatable why infection with falciparum malaria contributes to thrombocytopenia. Methods This study sought to investigate the expression of the various platelet indices and activation markers in children with falciparum malaria. Platelet indices (Platelet count [PLT], Plateletcrite [PCT], Mean Platelet Volume [MPV], Platelet Distribution Width [PDW] and Platelet-Large Cell Ratio [P-LCR]) and platelet surface membrane glycoproteins (GPIIb/IIIa [PAC-1], P-selectin [CD62p] and GPIV [CD36]) expressions were determined in children with falciparum malaria (cases) and healthy children (controls) using automated blood cell analysis and flow cytometry techniques, respectively. Results Except for P-LCR, all the other platelet indices (PLT, MPV, PDW, and PCT) were significantly lower in the cases than the controls (P 0.05) from the malaria cases. Platelet activation markers were known to be associated with increased risk of falciparum malaria with the mean fluorescence intensity of PAC1 (Odds Ratio [OR] 34.0, Relative Risk [RR] 4.47, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 4.904–235.7; p 0.05). Conclusion Plasmodium falciparum malaria has been known to be associated with platelet activation markers, which probably contributes to thrombocytopenia.

Platelet activation and functional changes in some haematological malignancies have been investigated with little or no known documentation on Burkitt lymphoma (BL). Abnormalities of platelets contribute to either haemorrhage or thrombotic episodes which are life-threatening in patients with BL. Thus, the study aimed at investigating the various platelet indices and platelet membrane glycoproteins in childhood Burkitt lymphoma. Platelet surface membrane glycoproteins (GPIIb/IIIa, P-selectin and GPIV using PAC 1, CD62p and CD36 monoclonal antibodies respectively) and platelet indices (Platelet Count [PLT], Plateletcrite [PCT], Mean Platelet Volume [MPV], Platelet Distribution Width [PDW] and Platelet Large Cell Ratio [P-LCR]) were determined in children with Burkitt lymphoma and healthy children (normal controls) based on flow cytometry and automated blood cell analysis techniques. PLT and PCT were higher in BL cases than in the normal controls with a significant difference in the PLT (P = 0.02). On the contrary, we observed a significant (p 0.05) lower levels in the other platelet indices (MPV, PDW and P-LCR) in children with BL than the controls. With the exception of CD62 P, the other platelet membrane glycoproteins examined showed a decreased level of expression before and after the addition of an Adenosine -5- diphosphate (ADP) in cases of BL. In addition, PAC-1 was probably known to be associated with Burkitt Lymphoma (Odds Ratio [OR] 6.67, Relative Risk [RR] 3.13, 95% CI 1.06-9.21; p = 0.02). Finally, oral bleeding was observed to be the commonest bleeding episodes associated with childhood BL. Flow cytometry analysis and cell counting techniques of platelet assessment has described the expression of the platelet membrane glycoproteins and parameters in children with Burkitt lymphoma. Thus, children with Burkitt lymphoma tend to show normal to increased level of circulatory platelets but decreased platelet membrane glycoprotein expressions and platelet dysfunction.

This cross sectional study was conducted to evaluate the underlying causes of anaemia among 200 adult patients (18-60 years) without any established chronic disease from September 2011 to February 2012 at the outpatients department of the Agogo Presbyterian Hospital. Participant selection was based on the WHO definition of anaemia in adults [Hb

The study aims at establishing the trend of Trichomonas vaginalis infections diagnosed at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi over an eleven (11) years period (1994 to 2004). The retrospective study involves the yearly distribution of the infection as well as the monthly distribution relating them to the ages and sex. The mean ages of males and females infected were 28.8 and 26.0 years, respectively. The prevalent age groups mostly infected were found to be 18 to 31 for both males and females. The age distribution of T. vaginalis cases from the high vaginal swab (HVS) records gave a standard deviation of 3.47 and the standard deviation of the age distribution for males from the urine routine examination (R/E) was 5.13. Analyses of records of T. vaginalis suggest that even though there has been a drastic decline in prevalence, the infection still persist and requires efforts to ensure its absolute extinction. The monthly distributions did not reveal any particular month in which transmission of the infection remains constantly high. This suggests that the climatic seasons (rainy or dry/cold or warm) have no effect on the rate of transmission. More pragmatic measures are needed to ensure better records keeping of the infection at KATH. New and more efficient methods such as cultures and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) should be employed to increase efficiency in the detection of the organism in patients. Another study is being designed to ascertain the level of T. vaginalis from 2005 to date. Key words: Sexually transmitted infection, Trichomonas vaginalis, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).

Introduction: Sports anaemia is a physiological activity that occurs amongst footballers and may be due to poor diet, over-training, as well as an increase in plasma volume in endurance training activities. High plasma volume leads to changes in haematological parameters that may impact on endurance of footballers. The objective of the study was to determine the correlation between haematological and an-thropometric indices and their role in sports anaemia in a tropical setting. Methods: Venous blood was taken into EDTA for 12 soccer players of KNUST soccer team before training and after training for the first (W1) and fifth (W5) weeks of training sessions. Complete blood count analysis was done for each blood sample and anthropometric parameters such as height, weight, body mass index, body fat percent and lean body mass were also measured. Cross-tabulations with mean and standard deviation or median and range were computed. Paired t-test & and Mann-Whitney test for parametric and non-parametric data computations were carried out and a p-value ≤ 0.05 was taken to rep-resent significant difference between data groups. Results: There was significant reduction in haemoglobin (p =0.003), haematocrit (p =0.002), mean cell volume (MCV) (p =0.034) and red blood cell (RBC) count (p=0.011) as a result of a significant expansion of plasma volume (p= 0.006). Neutrophil, lymphocyte and eosinophil counts were reduced significantly (p= 0.043, 0.001 and 0.007, respectively) after the training at W5. Lean body mass (LBM) inversely correlated with haemoglobin (r= -0.787, p= 0.002) and haematocrit (r= -0.588, p= 0.044). Body fat percentage (BFP) also negatively correlated with lymphocyte count (r= -0.700, p= 0.011). Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between body mass index (BMI) and plasma volume change after the training programme (r=0.689, p= 0.013). Conclusion: The results suggest that sports anaemia was induced by an increase in plasma volume that resulted in changes in haematological parameters.Pan African Medical Journal 2016; 24

Potassium is the principal intracellular cation with sodium being the principal extracellular cation. Maintenance of the distribution of potassium and sodium between the intracellular and the extracellular compartments relies on several homeostatic mechanisms. This study analysed the effect of blood storage on the concentrations of potassium and sodium in stored blood and also determine any variations that may exist in their concentrations. 50 mls of blood was sampled each from 28 units of evenly mixed donated blood in citrate phosphate dextrose adenine (CPDA-1) bags immediately after donation into satellite bag and stored at 4oC. Potassium and sodium concentration determinations were done on each of the 28 samples on day 0 (before blood was initially stored in the fridge), day 5, day 10, day 15 and day 20 of storage using the Roche 9180 ISE Electrolyte Analyser (Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Switzerland). data analysis showed significant changes in the potassium and sodium concentrations with a continuous rise in potassium and a continuous fall in sodium. A daily change of 0.59 mmol/l and 0.50 mmol/l was observed in the potassium and sodium concentrations respectively. We showed steady but increased daily concentrations of potassium and decrease concentrations of sodium in blood stored over time at 4oC.

Background: The alpha+-thalassaemias are the most common monogenic disorders of humans, characterised by microcytic and hypochromic anaemia. Their high frequency reflects selective advantage against death from Plasmodium falciparum malaria. The most common type of alpha+- thalassaemia amongst people of African descent is the -?3.7 deletional type and affects 26-33% of Ghanaians. Plasmodium falciparum malaria is a major cause of mortality amongst children in sub-Saharan Africa. Unlike HbAS, HbAC and G6PD deficiency there remains debate about whether alpha+- thalassaemia protects against malaria and the mechanism for the protection. Methods: 1672 children of ?10 years were recruited and individuals with G6PD deficiency, HbAC and Hb AS reported to protect against malaria were excluded. 732 children with Plasmodium falciparum were tested for Hb, RBC, MCV, MCH and parasite density. The subjects were then categorised into normocytic and microcytic using a cut off MCV value of 76fL and normochromic and hypochromic using a cut off MCH value of 25 pg. Microcytic hypochromic individuals were genotyped by Polymerase Chain Reaction for the -?3.7 deletional thalassaemia mutation. Results: The frequency of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in the studied population was 54.1%. There was a frequency of 21.0% for the heterozygous (-?/??) and 8.3% for the homozygous (-?/-?) alpha+-thalassaemia, resulting in a carriage rate (?/?? & -?/-?) of 29.3%. Among the microcytic patients, geometric mean parasite density (GMPD) values were lower in the presence of an alpha+- thalassaemia genotype (-?/?? GMPD 9015, n=126 and -?/-? GMPD 6852, n=49) compared to normal genotype (??/?? GMPD 51794, n=358) (p 60 months for both the homozygous and heterozygous alpha+-thalassaemia were not significant at p=0.399 and p=0.207 respectively. Conclusion: The severity of Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia measured, as either GMPD or prevalence of severe parasitaemia was significantly lower in both the -?/?? and -?/-?- groups compared to microcytic individuals with normal genotype. Even though GMPD differed significantly amongst all alpha+-thalassemia genotypes, it was not driven by hypochromasia. Among the homozygous and heterozygous alpha+-thalassaemias, children with severe anaemia had a significantly high GMPD than their counterparts who were not severely anaemic making them more susceptible to severe malaria anaemia. No loss of protection was seen in children younger or older than 60 months and therefore the protective effect from severe malaria might not wane with age. The mechanism of protection from severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria is not clear, however the influence of microcytosis and hypochromasia on parasite density requires more research.

Weak Rh D phenotypes are very frequent in Africans. They are capable of causing alloimmunization in Rh D-negative individuals. Some weak Ds may elude routine typing using direct agglutination techniques. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of weak D phenotype among Rhnegatives, using indirect antiglobulin technique. A total of 400 donors between the ages of 16 and 35 years who were grouped by the blood bank were randomly sampled over a period of 2 months. Three hundred and sixty nine (92.25%) were typed as Rh D-positive and 31 (7.75%) RhD-negative. Two (6.45%) of the Rh D-negative donors were weak D positive while 29 (93.55%) were weak D negative. Among the males 25 (9.43%) were Rh D-negative and 240 (90.57%) RhD-positive. Two (8%) of the 25 males were weak D positive. Among the females, 6 (4.44%) were Rh D-negative and 129 (95.56%) RhD- positive. This implies that, there are people in Kumasi with weak D phenotype which cannot be detected by the direct monoclonal anti-D agglutination. Consequently, indirect antiglobulin test may be indicated for such individuals typed Rh D-negative. This study has shown the need for a comprehensive policy on appropriate testing of donors and newborns, and management of Rh D-negative mothers in the Region. This should include weak D testing of all Rh Dnegative blood donors before transfusion in Rh D-negative patient. Keywords : Rhesus D, weak Rh D, indirect antiglobulin test, Kumasi-Ghana Journal of Science & Technology (Ghana) Vol. 28 (3) 2008: pp. 34-40

Developed countries have guaranteed the quality of clinical laboratories through quality assurance programmes. However, these programmes have not received the needed attention in Ghanaian haematology laboratories, as is the case in many developing countries where visual counting of blood cells are the usual procedures. To assess the level of analytical quality of haematology laboratories in the Ashanti region of Ghana, form of an external quality assessment scheme was undertaken. The survey covered twelve haematology laboratories in both the public and the private sectors. Control blood samples were sent to the laboratories to be analyzed. The study, which lasted for five months, covered such routine haematological parameters as Hb, PCV, Total WBC and platelets. The results from these laboratories were compared to that of an automated cell counter using the Cell-Dyn 3700 (Abbot Diagnostic Division, USA). About 80% of the laboratories studied which were using the manual counting, achieved the medically accepted analytical performance for all the parameters except platelets, where the percentage of the laboratories dropped to about 70%. The study has established the need for a continuous internal and external quality assessment in haematology. Such practice together with continuous education of laboratory personnel and the provision of automated instruments will help to achieve optimum laboratory quality needed for proper health care delivery in the country. Keywords: External quality assessment, haematology laboratories, Ghana. Journal of Science and Technology Vol. 28 (1) 2008 pp. 17-22

Signalling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM) F7 is found on the surface of some immune cells including B-lymphocytes. Its activation leads to the proliferation or differentiation of immune cells. The objectives of the study were to measure SLAMF7 expression levels on B-CLL cells, and to upregulate the expression of SLAMF7 with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and Bryostatin. The levels of expression of SLAMF7 receptors of B-CLL cells from patients were measured; using immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, confocal microscopy and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The effects of treatments with PMA and Bryostatin were determined from different patients. Different levels of SLAMF7 expression were found to be associated with B-CLL cells from different patients. PMA treatment of B-CLL cells showed more positive SLAMF7 staining with the majority of the extracted B-CLL cell cases, while less positive results were associated with Bryostatin treatment. The study has shown that both PMA and Bryostatin could upregulate SLAMF7. Successful modulation of SLAMF7 expression may provide a novel target for the treatment of patients with CLL. Keywords : SLAMF7, RT PCR, Elotuzumab, Bryostatin, PMA